DOUBLE BONUS!

Not only a extra chapter for you guys this week, but a much longer chapter as well...all the feeback and reviews from you guys must have me on a roll :)

CHAPTER 14
Change is Coming

Once all the fries were gone, the three of us filed out of Mc Donalds. Hector came around to the passenger side of my jeep with me and wrapped me into a hug, holding me for a few minutes. Guess he could tell I really needed it.

He whispered in my ear. "I'm here if you need anything from me."

I replied to him with a tight squeeze and a nod of my head. He left in the Rangeman SUV that Lester drove here and Lester took the wheel of my jeep. The ride back to my apartment was quiet except for the Aerosmith CD that was still playing.

Once inside I sat on the couch leaning against the back staring up at my ceiling. I thought if I did anything more I would lose it.

"You want to talk about it?" Lester asked looking at me the other side of the coffee table.

I closed my eyes and shook my head.

He came around the table and sat on the couch next to me. "Are you mad at me?"

I shook my head again.

He turned towards me with his elbow resting on the back of the couch. "Then why won't you talk to me?"

I took a deep breath. "I am hurt right now Lester. But more than that I am pissed off, angry and frustrated. I have so much pent up anger inside me, it is taking all I've got to keep from exploding." I was trying to make him understand what I was feeling inside. "I'm afraid of what I'll do if I let it out. I want to throw things, break things, scream, yell, cry and throw a fit all at the same time."

He continued watching me, not saying anything.

"Right now I just need to calm down before I try to do or say anything."

We continued sitting there for a few more minutes without saying anything. Lester broke the silence.

"Steph? I'm sorry. I tried to talk some sense into them, but I didn't want to break your trust by telling them anything you told me about you and Ranger. They just wouldn't listen. I wanted to give you a heads up on what was going on, but we just kept missing each other."

"Lester." I said quietly.

"I'm really sorry." He said again.

"Lester!" He looked at me. "You know if you are trying to piss me off more, you're doing a good job." I said as I looked over at him.

He let out a deep sigh. "I'm sor..."

"Don't say it again!" I looked back up at the ceiling, wishing there were some holes in it or something I could count to distract myself. Lester took up the same position. "There's nothing for you to be sorry about. You did nothing wrong."

"I just...just...can't believe what they are thinking, what they did. How things are changing."

"What's done is done. Lester, you may not agree with them but they are still your friends." Look at me trying to sound all rational. I was furiously pissed off, emotionally exhausted, lost a couple handfuls of friends today, but I'm giving Lester advice.

"Yeah, but they..."

"It doesn't matter, you can be mad at them. They are still your friends. What happened between them and me, is what it is. Between them and me. You can't put yourself in between it. Don't feel like you have to choose sides." Where the heck was this coming from? Why could I give advice like this to Lester, but when it came to my situation I couldn't think clear for myself.

"How can I not feel that way?" He looked at me. I could see the struggle he was having with himself.

"Because I will always be here." I smiled at him, grabbed his hand pulled it over to my and gave it a squeeze. "Besides I would blame myself if you chose me and gave up the friendships you've built over the years...and you wouldn't want me to do that would you."

He didn't say anything, just looked like he was in deep thought. The phone clipped to his belt has gone off a few times since we had been sitting here. It started buzzing again.

I sat up and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Les, answer your phone. Go back to work. Come see me later if you have time. I'm not going anywhere...I'll be fine." I said that last part more for myself then him. "I probably won't be very good company right now anyways."

He reached for his phone. "You're always good company for me. I don't know if I'll be able to make it back later." After getting up he leaned over and kissed my forehead before leaving.

Unfortunately it was way to early to just curl up in a ball and go to sleep. Besides, I needed to burn some of this energy off. As much as I hated it the thought of it, this was as good a time as any to start running. Hopefully I could run long enough to burn off this energy. So I changed and I ran.

Tell me, why did I choose to run the same path that Ranger took me on the first time we started running together? Was I just torturing myself? Or am I just trying to hang on to whatever I can of him? There are not many places I go on a daily basis that doesn't hold some memory of Ranger for me.

I ran. The more I thought about Ranger and the Merry Men while I ran, the more anger I felt and the harder I pushed. I was so exhausted when I made it back to my apartment nearly an hour later, that I collapsed on the couch. My body was covered in sweat and my muscles burned. The physical pain from running was great distraction from the emotional pain and anger. The extra energy my body had running through it was definitely burned off now. All I could focus on was breathing again. At least it no longer felt like the blood was racing through my veins.

I laid back on the couch until I my heart rate and breathing came back to normal. Eventually I made it into the kitchen for a glass of water and then to the bathroom where I ran myself a nice hot bubble bath. Maybe if I soaked, my muscles would not be sore tomorrow. I washed up and then just sat back sinking into the water. There was something that briefly crossed my mind while I was running that I needed to take care of. That was going to be first on my schedule tomorrow before I even hit the bonds office. Then hopefully by time I made it to the bonds office whichever Merry Men were going to pick up files today would be gone. I wasn't in the right frame of mind to deal with any of them right now. I had to pick up any new files, my checks for yesterday's skips and then go pay my rent. I also needed some groceries and had to pay my utilities. Mentally adding up the totals in my head, I figured I would have just enough money. If I got a couple more skips this week I would be set to go out this Friday with the girls. I really don't even feel like doing that. Who knows though, maybe by Friday I will.

After my bath, I turned up the heat and climbed into bed, just laying there in bed counting backwards from a thousand to avoid thinking until I drifted off to sleep. Sometime during the night I found myself awake staring at Ranger's chair again.

Just staring at it...

and staring at it.

"I'm not going to sit here and lose sleep staring at this damn chair" Climbing out of bed I grabbed the back of the chair with one hand and drug it over to the window, totally intending to throw it out and watch it splinter into pieces. But the part of me that still loved Ranger wouldn't let me do it. After cursing at myself, I turned and drug it out into the corner of the living room.

After moving the chair I laid back in bed facing the other way so I couldn't stare at the empty place along the wall and fell quickly to sleep.

Morning always comes way too soon for me, but I had things to do today. Rex and I shared some breakfast before I headed out the door.

First stop, Rangeman lawyer. Thankfully he wasn't located at the Rangeman offices. He did have an office in Trenton though, near the Police station. Ranger and/or whomever was in charge of Rangeman held my medical power of attorney. That needed to be changed and wasn't something I could or wanted to put off. I completed the appropriate paperwork. Since I was quite accident prone, I still wanted to name a MPOA for myself, or else my medical decisions could come down to my mother. No way was I going to let that happen. I named Lester and Joe. Hector was put on there as well for emergencies in case the other two were unavailable. I was confident that they would do what was best for me. I would have to call Joe later and fax him the papers to sign. Lester's and Hector's I could take to him myself. The lawyer told me a copy of the change of MPOA would have to go to Rangeman. Whatever, I didn't really care. That's not true, I did care. More than I should. I just wish they did too.

With that taken care of it was time to hit the bonds office.

I was just going to pop in quick, turn in my receipts to Connie, pick up any new skips and my checks then leave. Of course, it was just my luck that was one of those black SUV's was sitting outside when I got there. Just frickin great! Hope it is Lester or Hector. And just my luck, there were no parking spots, I had to drive by and park farther down the street and around the corner. Vince walked out of the office and got into the truck as I made my way up to the door. Good, at least I won't have to deal with seeing the MM in the office.

Oh shit! I said to myself as I walked inside. Spoke to soon. Tank was still in there, standing over by the couch talking to Lula. I so didn't want to deal with him right now. Then I remembered about how Lula reacted yesterday. She must have known what was going on. Why the hell didn't she tell me? Her and I were going to have to talk.

"Morning." I said to Connie and headed directly to her desk and handed over my receipts. "Lu" I said making eye contact with Lula.

"Steph...I" I could see the conflict in her eyes.

I looked her straight at her, making sure I didn't even give Tank a side glance for a half a second. "It's alright, we'll talk later." I could see the nervousness change to relief in her eyes.

Connie pushed some papers at me to sign. I leaned over to sign them. "You got anything new for me?"

"Uh, just one." She looked a little nervous. The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife.

"That's it?" I asked her when she handed me only one file.

"Yup, pretty slow. Vinnie doesn't expect much this week." She explained as she handed over my checks.

That sure wasn't in the plans. I had bills to pay, and needed some extra party money. I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope something else comes through. At least I can pay my rent. The rest I'll have to worry about later.

I turned to walk out.

"Stephanie." Tank called to me.

I turned to him. "Oh, now you want to speak?" I said loudly. "You had your chance to speak up for me yesterday in front of everyone, but you couldn't do it. Now that none of the guys are around you want to speak." I paused for effect. "I don't think so, it doesn't work that way." I pulled the door open and walked out of there, giving him no chance to say anything else.

First thing I notice as I walked up to my jeep was a flat tire. No, make that two flat tires on the passenger side. I must have driven over something on the way here. I walked over to the drivers side and make that four flat tires. One with a knife sticking out of it, the knife was stabbed through a note as well.

"FUCK!" Someone slashed my damn tires. I dug in my purse for my phone to call Al to come tow it. Where the hell is my phone?

Then I remembered. I busted it and threw it out the window yesterday. Grrrrr. I pulled the knife out of my tire and stormed back to the bonds office. I headed straight to the phone and called Al. He said he would be on his way shortly. Tank was still in there as were Connie and Lula. They were all staring at me, and listening to my conversation.

I looked at Connie. "What?"

She didn't say anything, just motioned with her eyes to my hand in which I was still gripping the knife I pulled out of my tire.

"Oh, here." I put the knife on the desk, taking the paper off, sliding it towards her. "I found it in my tire."

I briefly glanced at the note, since there was only one word: 'bitch' on it, it didn't take more than that to read it. I just balled it up and stuck it in my purse.

"Do you need a ride anywhere?" Tank asked.

Seriously! Does he really think I'm going to accept a ride with him?

I shot him a quick look. "My daddy told me not to take rides from strangers."

Lula's eyes just about bugged out of her head. Connie's chin dropped to the floor. I turned around distracted by the bell on the front door. Al's here already? Nope, it was Eddie.

"Hey Eddie."

"Stephanie." He drawled my name out long, like he wanted to ask me something.

I thought maybe he was there because of my tire slashing. Someone could have reported it. "How did you here about my tire slashing?"

"Huh? Your tires?" He asked. Okay, I guess that's not why he's here.

"Yeah, I thought you heard, and that's why you are here."

"Nope, I came to talk to you about yesterday." He said calmly.

Yesterday? Too much stuff happened yesterday, I couldn't think of what he was talking about exactly. Everyone in here was quiet and obviously waiting to hear what he was going to say.

"Yesterday? What about it?" I asked, very curious myself.

"Is it true that you held one of your skips by their throat and threatened her with your gun." Oh, that. I must have been standing there looking like a deer caught in headlights.

"What? White girl! You threatened someone with your gun? 'Bout damn time!" Eddie shot her a glare. "Uh...I mean. Really? Does that sound like something she would do?" Because actually no it is not something I would do. I heard Tank say something quietly to her and she stopped talking.

"Uh...well..." I wasn't sure how to answer. He was my friend, but he was still a cop. "Are you asking as a friend...or a cop?"

"A cop." He said looking at me curiously. I almost thought I saw a hint of a smile on his face.

"Then I have no idea what your talking about." I looked him straight in the face, but not meeting his eyes. We both knew I was lying. He stood there thinking for a minute. Everyone else was quiet.

"And if I was asking as your friend?" He was trying really hard not to let that smile out.

I couldn't hold it in if I tried. So I just blurted it out.

"Well she really pissed me off!" He raised his eye brow at me. "She bit me! You never know she could have gave me rabies or something." He continued to stare at me, and I couldn't read his look. My head stayed up, but my eyes looked down. "I had a really bad day yesterday, okay?" I didn't want him to be mad at me too. Tears came to my eyes. Frickin' tears. Thankfully I was facing away from everyone else.

His look changed and he came over and pulled me into a hug. I buried my face in his chest, giving myself a chance to calm myself. After collecting myself and taking a few deep breaths I pulled away.

"Now about your tires being slashed?"

"I didn't call it in, probably just some crazy skip from the past getting some pleasure out of messing with me." I explained

"Do you need a ride?" He asked. I nodded my head yes and followed him out the door.

"Later Connie, later Lu!" I purposely left Tank out.

The entire time I was at the bonds office I didn't look at Tank other than one quick glance. It hurt and was hard just being in the same room he was in. I saw so much in his face in that glance. All of his defenses were down. I could tell he was struggling as well. My emotions were just to raw right now. I am so angry at him, but I also felt bad for being rude. No wonder why I'm such a damn mess.

Eddie dropped me at my apartment, I gave him a hug and headed upstairs.

Now what am I going to do? No phone. No car. My utility money was going to have to go towards my tires. I will have enough for food. The money from this new skip will have to pay my bills. Oh crap! I need a new phone too.

On that thought I propped my feet up on the coffee table and opened the file. Lucy Miller, assault with a deadly weapon. Oh great! I hope this ain't another crazy bitch.

A knock sounded at my door. Who the heck? I wasn't expecting anyone. Peeking through the peep hole I saw Hector on the other side of the door. I opened the door for him.

"Hola chica!" He said giving me a quick hug.

"Hola" I said to him. Ok, so I do know a couple words in spanish.

"I brought you something." He reached in to his pocket.

I watched him, wondering what the heck he could have in his pocket for me.

"A phone!" I said taking it from the hand he was holding out. "Thank you so much!" I gave him a big hug and a kiss on his cheek.

This wasn't just any phone, it was one of those new smart phones. I hope I could work it. I flopped down on the couch and started playing with it.

"All of your numbers are programmed in it already." He explained as he sat down next to me. "You have the same phone number, but it's totally secure and untraceable. I will show you how to block numbers." Which he did, he already had all the MM numbers blocked except his and Lester's. Ranger's number was blocked as well. He also showed me how to unblock them, but since that wasn't going to be happening anytime soon he will probably have to show me again.

I was fascinated with it. Just about everyone I knew had one except for me. Hector and I sat there for about an hour and he took time showing me everything I could do with the phone. I tested it by calling Lester. Of course he already knew I had the phone, but I filled him in on what happened with my car earlier and at the bonds office.

Hector dropped me off at Al's to pick up my jeep. I had four new tires and three hundred less dollars. And that was with a discount! Well, at least I have some money left for groceries.

It was barely after noon, plenty of daylight to go yet. Might as well go see if I can bring in this skip.

I pulled up at Lucy Miller's house. It was a very nice two story house on a large corner lot on the outskirts of Trenton.

As soon as I stepped out of my car...the smell hit my nose.